Gwynn ap Nudd, King of the Fair Folk...

Well, Court of the Hawk has had its official release and is now available worldwide. This story is a bit different than my previous novels published by The Wild Rose Press. Although this one has a ghost (who I promise will eventually get his own story), Court of the Hawk is probably more fantasy, than it is paranormal, but it still has its paranormal elements, like a shifter for instance, who won't get his own story. And in a round about way (as the mind goes) that brings me around to Gywnn ap Nudd, king of the Tylwyth Teg, who is very much part of the tale. However, I have used some creative license when it comes to the mythical Welsh Faerie king...well, a lot actually...you'll have to read it to see what I mean.

Gwynn Ap Nudd is a son of Nudd, who is a son of Don the mother-goddess and Beli, the god of death. In the early Welsh poems, Gwynn is known as a god of battle and of the dead. As time went on, historians described Gwyn as one whom God placed over "the brood of devils in the world of Annwn, lest they should destroy the present race.” Finally, the Welsh people came to know him as king of the Tylwyth Teg, the Welsh fairies or the Fair Folk.

Tylwyth Teg or The Fair Folk of Ancient Welsh Legend.

The Tylwyth Teg--or the Fair Folk--are the ethereal, fair-haired, beautiful fairies of ancient Welsh myth. They were kindhearted as well as mischievous, and they were a curious mixture of both good and evil. However, according to Owen's Welsh dictionary, unlike other fairies that dwell within Great Britain, these fairies are not your typical Tinker Bell Fairies which fit nicely in the palm of your hand. You see, as a whole, these fairies are quite tall.

Take the Fair Face of Woman by Sophie Anderson 1823-1903

These lovely beings are said to live very happily in lakes or streams or in the hollows of the hills. The women folk are called y mamau or mothers. They dance gracefully in the moonlight, make fairy rings, heap treasures on those they favor, steal little children (especially those with fair hair) and substitute them for gifts or changelings. They also create fairy paths and those that follow such a path should do so with caution.

Beneath the Sea... The Kingdom of Cantre'r Gwaelod...

Llys Helig isn’t the only kingdom to have disappeared beneath the sea in Wales. We also have Cantre'r Gwaelod (or the Lowland Hundred as translated into English), sometimes called the Welsh Atlantis. This fertile tract of land once existed between Bardsay and Ramsay Islands. However, if you want to visit it now, you might have to get yourself a wet suit and scuba gear, and then dive to the bottom of what is now Cardigan Bay, West Wales.

Sunset Over Cardigan Bay by Peter Broster

As with other lost kingdoms, a legend or two is also associated with Cantre'r Gwaelod. If we go way back in history and take a look at the Black Book of Carmarthen, we find mentioned therein, the land of Maes Gwyddno or the plain of Gwyddno. According to this book, the sea swallowed Cantre'r Gwaelod when a maiden named Mererid ignored her duties and in consequence of the neglect, the well overflowed. (Doesn’t make any real sense to me either…)